The incident occurred when unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants shot at the 35-year-old, Rajesh Mishra, also a journalist working with the Dainik Jagran Hindi daily, who was sitting at his brother Amitesh's shop in the Karanda area.

Locals and passers-by rushed the two to a nearby hospital where Rajesh was pronounced brought dead.

Amitesh, 30, is said to be in critical condition.

A senior police official said Rajesh was an active RSS member and was also working as a contractor.

So far, no details have emerged in the initial probe but added that they were talking to the family of the deceased.